An Australian family went through a terrifying ordeal after their four-year-old daughter was temporarily blinded in one eye by a common household item: a concentrated laundry detergent pod.

Now, the parents are speaking out to warn other families about the hidden dangers these everyday products can pose—especially to young children.

The incident happened when little Luca de Groot was helping her mother, Jodi Lowe, with the laundry at home. In a brief moment when her mother’s attention shifted, Luca picked up a Persil washing pod and bit into it, likely mistaking it for candy due to its bright colors and soft, squishy texture.

The pod instantly burst, spraying highly concentrated detergent into her face. Luca began screaming in pain as the chemicals made contact with her skin and eyes. In panic, and before her mother could intervene, she instinctively rubbed her face in an attempt to wipe away the substance—unknowingly spreading the detergent further into her eyes and worsening the injury.

Realizing the severity of the situation, Jodi immediately rushed her daughter into the shower. The product’s warning label instructed users to “immediately flush eyes with water and seek medical advice,” so she attempted to rinse Luca’s face thoroughly. However, despite her efforts, the irritation and pain did not subside.

As Luca’s condition failed to improve, Jodi took her to the hospital for emergency treatment. Doctors attempted to flush her eyes multiple times—reportedly four separate attempts—but the chemical exposure had already caused significant damage. When those measures proved unsuccessful, medical staff made the decision to take Luca into the operating room for emergency surgery to prevent further complications and reduce the risk of permanent vision loss.

Laundry detergent pods contain highly concentrated cleaning agents designed to break down stains and grease. According to consumer safety organizations, their chemical composition can cause serious burns to the eyes, skin irritation, and even respiratory issues if inhaled. Because of their colorful, candy-like appearance, young children are particularly vulnerable to accidental exposure.

Thankfully, Luca eventually regained her vision, but the experience left her family deeply shaken. Her parents are now urging others to store detergent pods and other household chemicals well out of children’s reach and sight, preferably in locked cabinets. They also emphasize the importance of supervising children closely around cleaning products and educating them early about the dangers of ingesting or touching unknown substances.

What seemed like a harmless household chore quickly turned into a medical emergency—serving as a powerful reminder that even everyday products can pose serious risks if not handled with caution.